Actor and first-time Oscar ® winner, Joaquin Phoenix definitely stole the show in his portrayal of Arthur Fleck, the failed comedian who turns into a menace. Read on to learn about the actor who plays the Joker.

1. The only brothers nominated for Oscars ®

Joaquin Phoenix and his late brother River are the only brothers to ever be nominated for acting Academy Awards ®.

2. Joaquin made the 911 call right before his brother’s fatal overdose

His older brother River overdosed on a mixture of cocaine and heroin when the pair were outside a nightclub. The recording of his call was played on numerous TV stations and he retreated from the public eye after that tragic incident.

3. His first Oscar ® nomination was for Gladiator

He played Roman Emperor Commodus. He went on to get nominated for the same award two more times — for the films Walk the Line (2005) and The Master (2012).

4. He’s a strict vegan

He’s been a vegan since the age of three and was instrumental in advocating for plant-based menus at the Golden Globes.

Joaquin Phoenix gives the performance of his career in the genre-bending Joker that also won an Oscar ® for Best Original Music Score.